Custodial torture case: ‘CCTV footage’ reveals accused faked poisoning attempt

A dramatic turn has unfolded in the alleged custodial torture case at Balichandrapur Police Station in Jajpur district. The Superintendent of Police (SP) on Friday released CCTV footage debunking the claims, showing the accused faking a poisoning attempt.

Three officers of the police station were earlier suspended for procedural lapses.

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According to official sources, the alleged third-degree torture case at Balichandrapur Police Station has taken a surprising twist. Jajpur SP Yashpratap Shrimal unveiled CCTV footage that shed light on the real events behind the allegations during a press conference.

As per the Jajpur SP, a land dispute had sparked ongoing tension between Rabindra Mallik of Mahipur village under Anaka panchayat and his neighbour. On the 2nd of this month, the situation escalated into a physical altercation. During the confrontation, Rabindra allegedly threw hot Peja (rice starch) at the opposing party from his house.

As a result, another local resident and his daughter were grievously injured. A case was subsequently filed at Balichandrapur Police Station.

Later, while being held in custody, the accused Rabindra Mallik attempted to avoid arrest by pretending to ingest poison. Before mealtime, he secretly placed pesticide—already available on the police station premises—in his pants pocket. A short while later, under the pretext of washing his hands, he acted out the scene of consuming poison.

The SP clarified that this entire act was caught on CCTV and disproves the claims of custodial torture. The injured father-daughter duo had personally met the SP to narrate the incident.

Based on the original complaint and efforts to distort the incident, the SP confirmed that the accused Rabindra Mallik will be arrested.

Earlier, the victim’s family had met Jajpur SP seeking justice. Importantly, in the wake of the allegations of third-degree torture, the SP had already suspended the SI, ASI, and a constable of Balichandrapur Police Station for negligence in duty.

“Everything is there in the CCTV footage, which I can show you. There is an SOP of Odisha Police on how to keep a person in the Hazat (police custody). As per the manual, it is the responsibility of the diary charge officer (DCO) to keep the details about persons visiting a police station. The IIC is not at fault,” the SP asserted while briefing to mediapersons.